Surprising Wetland 'Giant Panda' Spotted in Xinzhou – Black-crowned Crane

Black-crowned Crane (scientific name: Ciconia nigra): a species with elegant appearance, vivid plumage, agile movement, alert temperament, and a preference for clean and tranquil environments as a large wading bird, it is one of the world's endangered and threatened bird species. Currently listed as a threatened species by the 'Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora' (CITES) and belongs to 'China's List of Key National Protected Wild Animals' Class I protected birds.

According to statistics, the global population is only over 2,000 individuals, with over 1,000 individuals distributed in China, of which more than 20 individuals live in the Jinglu Fen River Basin. Its rarity is no less than that of the giant panda.

Changes in bird population numbers are indicators of regional ecological environmental changes. In recent years, the number of black-crowned cranes in our county has increased significantly from the sporadic sightings before 2013, which proves that our county's insistence on 'ecological development' and seriously practicing the concepts of 'ecological civilization is gold and green mountains are silver mountains' and 'mountain, forest, farmland, lake, and grass constitute a common life community' has gradually achieved its goals, which is a solid foundation for ultimately increasing the water volume, improving water quality, and enhancing scenic beauty of the Fen River, and achieving harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, making the green mountains and green waters of the entire Jinglu region truly transform into people's gold and silver mountains.

Source: Shanxi Jinglu Fen River Basin National Wetland Park